Name: Ten no Kyouki (More of a title, tends to go by Ky or Kyou though. Never says real name.)Age: Stopped countingRace: Kitsune, 9-tailedHousehold: MythPosition: Head ServantWeapons/Abilities:Blue Flame:Ky's defining ability is his bright blue flame. Often called a "Holy Flame", though not truly possessing any holy properties, it burns much brighter than any regular flame, as well as a much hotter. This not only makes it a great tool, but an even greater weapon. It's shape, once externally summoned can be changed at will, ranging from a simple fireball to the shape of a sword. With careful concentration it can be used to engulf a part of his body to serve as a barrier, or in some cases, to serve as a way to make a hand to hand attack even more deadly. Besides combat, it can also be used as a light, or shape into simple shapes for amusement.

Fine tuned SensesKy's senses are so fine tuned that it makes it almost impossible to move undetected near him. Sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch, and even auras are magnified for him if he concentrates enough. However, if he uses this ability in an area with too much background noises and such, it creates white noise, making it unusable. Perfect for the woods, but not an urban environment.

IllusionA staple ability for his kind, Ky is no exception. With the power of illusion, he can make things that aren't there, or hide things that are under cloak of illusion, making them hard to discern from reality. This is his least used ability, and he tends to say that it's "Too much annoyance to trick minds"

ShapeshiftingAnother staple ability for his kind is shapeshifting. Though he tends to stick to his human form most of the time, he can also use it for transforming into other shapes. Theoretically it can be used to turn him into another person, but he doesn't, and just repeats the line that he says whenever her talks about illusions as well.

Personality:Ky can often be viewed as uncaring and too serious at first glance, mostly tot he fact he remains stoic and silent to those that he doesn't know or has to be involved with. One look at his proud and calm expression usually brings that to mind.

However, Ky can be more than that. To those he knows, he doesn't mind speaking complete truth to them no matter what the consequences and often just smiles if any threat or insult is thrown towards him.

He has his own brand of caring for the people of his house. It may seem tough sometimes, but other times it's just plain kind. Of course he treats a situation like that as a break in his normal routine and tends not to want to talk about it.

Biography:Unlike the stoic and quiet Ky of the present, his early life was far different.

In ancient times, when humans were a small part of the world, Ky was born to an old and well respected Kyuubi in the heart of Hokkaido. She taught him about all the things that she knew about the world and how to survive in it. It was expected that he would grow up like her, well respected and well loved by others around her. However, when he reached 1000 and his true powers began to manifest, so did a rebellious and admittedly malicious personality.

It started innocently enough. He had been helping another kitsune through a river, and the kitsune fell in. Being young it couldn't swim and tried desperately to stay afloat. And while in the end he did help it, the image of that kitsune squirming around int he water made him... happy. So, he became a trickster. Playing pranks on others, many of which had long term side effects as drastic as the loss of their home. It became so much for others that they pleaded his mother to stop and eventually, though very reluctantly, she forced him out of their home and even across the sea to china where he lived in exile.

Feeling humiliated and alone, he turned to aggression. And with the rage in his heart, he used to to create a bloody and fiery path of destruction around the lands. People began to fear him, after many years, he was thought of as a dark god, a plague that would sweep through whole villages and leave nothing but charred remains of people and buildings. It became too much, and one family, with the help of other mythical beings, embarked on a research project that lasted over several generations of their family, and in the end, only one of them remained. However, that final person had found the answer and using it's own body as bait, the person was able to seal away Ky in a stone that lie in the middle of the family's complex, but not after losing it's own life.

Once again Ky was humiliated and secluded. But without free range, all he could do was roar. The roar drew everyone away from the area and his desolation grew, until so much time had passed that the ruins of the house around him had crumbled and a forest had grown around him. Realizing that he couldn't do anything... he calmed down, the futility of it all apparent. So instead, he sent his spirit form out, spying on the rest of the world, but without the ability to do anything. Through this, he was able to learn many things. Became a scholar, which was admittedly hard to do as he only was able to read books when someone else was.

Finally, after many millennium, his full 9 tails grown from his knowledge base expanding his abilities, the stone seal decayed and one day, just broke. The freedom was surprising, it had been so long that he thought that he would never get out, but now... he was. But this time, instead of a path of destruction, he decided to start a path of humility to make up for what he had done. So, he joined the myth house as a lowly servant. Spent his new life raising and taking care of many people over the centuries and eventually becoming the head servant.

Alright, great. It looks like we have a full cast now! The group still turned out to be a little bigger than I had anticipated but that's fine since I'm sure everyone who joined had read the notes I had posted up?

As a reminder and just in case anyone missed it, here they are once again:

This will not be a first come first serve basis. Characters will be approved and I will be looking for players with a certain level of literacy as well as consistency when it comes to posting. Also, asking that players provide enough in a post that will give others plenty to work with in response. It's quite difficult to make something out of nothing after all. =)

While everyone has muse issues and reality calls insistently from time to time, this is fine as long as other players are given a heads up ahead of time when extended absences are to be expected.

This will not be a fast paced game, if anything players probably should not expect to receive a response a day. Instead a gap of two to three days can be the norm, though after a week of nothing (as in no post, no OOC, and no PM answers) then that will probably be a problem. So if you know you are one who is a bit on the impatient side, this may not be the group for you. Or if you know that you tend to go AWOL or MIA quite often, then this may become a burden to others.

Bolded a few key points. I've overlooked everyone who has showed interest in the game and while a few of you did not have much in way of past posts for me to look at, I decided to take a chance with what I saw in the profiles that had been made as well as general literacy and regular responses via PMs or on this thread itself. I ask that responses contain enough detail and information so that others will not have to struggle to think of a reply. Small grammatical and spelling errors are fine (we're human, we make mistakes) but if someone happens to start writing to the point where it is just difficult to understand then I will take this as a lack of effort on their part (though I doubt this will be happening). As well as a heads-up for everyone if you know that you will be gone for some time, or won't be posting for a while due to whatever issues may be preventing you from doing so. I feel that this is common courtesy to inform others and since we are all understanding individuals, patience will be key here (reality sucks, but it's sure as hell demanding). Hoping to see some great posts and interactions from everyone, and most importantly hoping that everyone will have fun and enjoy this game!

Still waiting on a few character profiles to be edited or completed, in the meantime here is a link to the OOC thread so that everyone can chat. I will be posting up links, reminders, etc (anything I feel important to the overall game that everyone should know about) on the very first post of the OOC thread so be sure to check it from time to time (though I will post that I made any significant changes so you can all check then).

So while we're all waiting for the game to start, once again, anyone who would like to plan and plot with others please do so through PMs. One thing is that I would like to be told in advance about these subplots before they are put into play to prevent any problems (clashing with other subplots/general plot) and hopefully smoothing them out. Hope this is all well and good with everyone, any problems, questions, complaints feel free to either PM me or post it up on the OOC board and we can all discuss. ^^

From the darkness, he strikes, silently and with lightning precision. When there is darkness, there is anonymity. Where the path is shaded by darkness, it is there he dwells. His movement is fast and steady and his ability to become one with the darkness hides him in all but direct light. When a shadow is available to him, he blends into it with ease and surety leaving those around him blinking and searching. When he traverses the night, he is all but nonexistent. Only his strikes reveal his presence, and but for a short time.

“Master of Calligraphic Arts”

From a very early age, Seiji has practiced his letters. His teachers always impressed upon him that the written language had a subtle power of its own, to convey knowledge and enlighten those lacking in wisdom. His skill was appreciated and he was taught several scripts not commonly known. His voracious appetite for this simple art form became near legendary within his clan. As such, he was given the duty of transcribing some of the rarest of the scrolls that his order held. He also taught his methods and tutored those in need of further instruction. It was soon discovered that in his transcription of some of the rarer scrolls of the order, that his characters conveyed a power that was nigh upon tangible. His teachers were at a lack to duplicate such skill, and it is not yet known whether or not the ability has solid applications.

“Master of Scaling”

With a passion for heights, Seiji climbed anything that he could, fascinated by the views that became available to him. His fascination served him well as his clan built upon his skill. Seiji learned that there was a hold or point of leverage upon every surface in existence. Thus, there is not a surface known to him as unclimbable.

“Herb/Chemist”

He has a vast knowledge of flora and chemicals for various creations of poisons, poultices, salves, and Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics or explosive elements).

Seiji was trained with the Ninjato, as well as Shiruken and the blowgun. The Ninjato is hidden within a Katana’s scabbard to allow for the blowgun tube, shiruken, needles, and caltrops. There is also a compartment that is perfectly sealed and carries four pages of parchment tightly rolled. He is also an accomplished martial artist with a specialty in grappling.Seiji is well versed in espionage and blackmail.

Orientation: Straight

Appearance & Personality:

Five foot, six inches tall, Seiji is compactly built and weighs in at one hundred thirty five pounds. He has non assuming features and is soft spoken. He is easily missed in a crowd. His eyes are like dark pits that reflect no light, their color is not discernable from the darkest shade of black. The whites of his eyes are barely visible outside his iris’. Holding his gaze gives a deeper since of cunning that is otherwise undetectable from him. He has high cheekbones and a small jaw with a pointy nose. His eyes are set just wide enough to dismiss his similarity to a rat, but just. His movements are sure and quick, precise and confident. His hair matches the color of his eyes, his face is hairless, and his eyebrows are slight. In fact, everything about Seiji says commoner until a gaze is locked with him, though he rarely bothers with direct eye contact. It is said to stare him in the eye is to view your own death. His dress is unadorned and simple peasant ware, though expensive.

His conversation always leaves one to assume that they need to teach him something. His responses are measured and brief. There is no one known that has argued with Seiji or has gotten a rise out of him. He doesn’t seem grim nor does he frown, but his smiles are few and far between.

Biography:

Second refined from the family of black stone, Seiji grew up in the shadow of his brother who got all his parents affections. He excelled at all his studies, especially his sciences and calligraphy, and spent most of his free time well away from the speaking living. He explored well abroad from the homestead to include all the dark and high places that he could find.

When his brother took a new position with the Human Leadership, he was aligned to make a move for the Kuro’iwa house. His importance and influence that was so carefully nurtured by Seiji’s father was now being turned against their family.

The Unnamed attacked the house and his family with countless and unfounded accusations. There seemed to be connections that could not be countered. Information was used that had no basis. There was nothing that could be done legally. The first son had all the cards and was backed by his new found position.

It was at this time that Seiji was approached by someone who offered him an out for his family.

The first son died tragically, though no one was the wiser to exactly how. Seiji’s family, though tarnished by recent accusations, survived and pecked out a meager existence. In the resulting chaos, Seiji is lost and not heard from again. His family cared little enough to find out why, and they were rebuilding, and so lacked the funds for a formal investigation into their second son’s disappearance.

Clan of the Kage Kazumi exacted a price of life time servitude from Seiji in exchange for his family’s deliverance. Later, His clan approaches Xeng Xaifang and offers Seiji into his service to help secure Humanities place in the world. None know of the arrangement other than Xeng and the order, as it could possibly endanger Humanity in its fight for dominance.

Kukri: a dagger that Sohan keeps with him at all times. His mainstay in a fight, as well as his main tool for the creation of traps. He picked this one up in Nepal.

Urumi: A sword made of thin ribbons of razor sharp metal, this belonged to Sohan's mother. He's trained long with this, and keeps it with him at all times. His favorite choice for facing multiple foes.

Blade Catchers: Always wears arm warmers with hidden armor plating built into the palms. Uses these to catch an opponent's weapon before driving his own home.

Composite Bow: A bow he picked up during the jungle fighting. He's crafted a variety of arrows for this, and loves to take it with him on scouting missions.

Guandao: A heavy spear willed to him by his predecessor. He's saving this one for open war, as it's impossible to conceal. He sometimes trains with this one.

Abilities:

Agility: Sohan is not excessively strong, and relies on his agility, extreme reflexes, and stealth to maintain his edge in a fight.

Alchemic Knowledge: Naga pass down numerous recipes for healing elixirs to their young, knowledge stolen long ago from the gods. He has used this knowledge to create an antidote to his own venom. Which he carries on himself at all times in case of emergency.

Poisonous: In Naga form, Sohan produces a potent paralyzing venom, which he has harvested and applies to all his weapons. The antidote he carries can also be used as a bartering tool for information from those poisoned.

Cold Blooded: In snake form, excess heat makes Sohan's cold-blooded body and mind even quicker than usual, while cold drains his strength and makes his thoughts sluggish. To a lesser extent this applies to his human form as well.

Tactical Bent: When fighting Sohan prefers to think his battles through as opposed to relying on his weapons and agility. Setting traps, tricking opponents, and striking with the element of surprise are characteristic to him.

Personality: Sohan enjoys the company of others, and strikes up conversation whenever possible, even with his house's potential opponents the Mixed. However casual and friendly he may be with the others of the household, he is extremely pessimistic of the Mythic race's survival. He doesn't let these views distract him from his duties as captain, training and managing the Myth house's standing army with dedication. Due to his personal approach to training, this often means accompanying them on assignments. Due to the trauma of his past, he despises humanity, although he is not arrogant in assessing their capacities.

Short Biography (This is all most need to read, I just like to write back story so I can flesh a character out better): Sohan arrived from the south long, long ago during open war with the humans, enlisting with the Myth army to fulfill a private vendetta. Given his talent and leadership qualities, he rose quickly through the ranks until he was second in command. While serving a friendship developed between he and the captain, despite their opposing views on military hierarchy and leadership. When the captain died in a small battle with human forces, he left Sohan his rank and spear. Sohan immediately took the opportunity to restructure the ranking system, and began a new, unconventional training regimen that he manages to this day. There have been numerous attempts on his life by southern foreigners over the years, though Sohan has not revealed why to anyone except his now dead predecessor.

Long-ass Biography (nobody knows this stuff): Sohan was born in Nepal to Naga queen who had fled from an army in the south formed by a lord who had made them scapegoat for recent droughts and diseases. In his childhood his mother trained him in martial arts and diplomacy for the day he would assume control of their refugee kingdom. However, once he came of age he found his mother's choice to remain in hiding infuriating, and was cast out of the house after accusing her of cowardice. His mother gave him only one parting gift, the kukri knife to defend himself with. Other youth from their settlement, two of his siblings, and even a few of the older Naga left with him, although those who left with Sohan were permanently banished by their former queen.

He journeyed south to his parents' homeland in India, determined to restore Naga control to the region. Invigorated by the warmth of the region, his band found only a few remaining Naga in their former homeland, although it was enough to double their numbers to fifty. All the while they gathered strength and hunted for allies in the jungle, they did so stealthily, as the human faction maintained a powerful army in the region capable of wiping them out in open conflict. Those living in the jungle taught the northern Naga hunting skills they would need later in their guerrilla campaign against the humans.

Sohan, now an accomplished leader of a well trained guerrilla force led his people further south, to a large patch of jungle bisected by the region's most important trade route. Here they began their campaign, ambushing and raiding human caravans as they made their way through densest part of the jungle. Human reprisals into the jungle fell to arrow fire, pitfalls, and other traps, seldom seeing the hands that sealed their fate. This continued throughout the summer. The real reprisal came just before the monsoon.

The humans had realized that the Naga relied on the cover of the jungle to elude and ensnare their search parties, and set fire to the jungle near the end of the dry season. It spread quickly through the tinderbox of a jungle, scattering Sohan's small army and destroying most of their cached supplies. The humans waited for the rain to drown the fire out before the hunt began.

The constant rain as well as the loss of food, arms, and allies demoralized Sohan's forces. It smothered their sense of hearing, ruined their bowstrings, and chilled them, slowing their reflexes drastically. One by one, Sohan's remaining squads were hunted down by humans or deserted. Sohan's group was eventually the last active squad, and was discovered a few weeks before the monsoons let up. Sohan was the only survivor of the ensuing skirmish. Wounded and demoralized, he fled north for the refuge of Nepal, all the while dodging soldiers and bounty hunters out to catch him and the surviving deserters.

When he made it back to the safety of Nepal he was horrified to find his former home in ruins. Angered at the disruption of trade, the humans to the south had sent an armed battalion to eliminate the source of the Sohan's rogue force. The cold and feeble Naga had been quickly dispatched. He found his mother's frozen corpse run through with a pike, still clutching her Urumi sword. Now certain that he had doomed his race to extinction, he gathered up her blade, and having nowhere else to turn, traveled north over the mountain.

When he arrived in China, he searched for a new place to call home. He found the myth house and enlisted as a soldier, throwing himself into the duties of a guard to forget the guilt of driving his own race to near extinction. To this day a growing bounty lies on the head of any remaining Naga.

Name: Shao Wang TzuAge: 70 (looks like 20 due to the rejuvenating powers of his halberd)Race: HumanHousehold: HumanPosition: CHARACTER RETIREDWeapons/Abilities: He is almost never without his spear-halberd which is called "Fù Chóu" (Vengeance). He is extremely good at using it and it is nearly always his weapon of choice in hand-to-hand combat. When he needs longer range he usually uses his throwing ninja knives and when the space is a bit cramped he is a fairly agile karateka.

The halberd-spear Fù Chóu, gives the following powers/abilities to Shao Wang

As long as it is drenched at least once a year with a Myth's creature's blood, the spear prolongs Shao's natural life effectively stopping his aging.

Also, the spear is able to hit and damage Myth's creatures and true forms regardless of their immunities.

Thirdly... stamina, reflexes and agility of Shao Wang are augmented by the spear itself. He is still at human level but he can move and react at best of human capabilities.

Also, the spear can hear noises and talk mentally with people (although it does that only rarely and by choice with people other than Shao). The spear never sleeps making Shao very difficult to be caught by surprise.

Note: I know that at first read, the powers of the spear can seem a bit over the top... Actually it SOUNDS powerful. But the real power that has any weight is the fact that the spear can hit and damage myth creatures. The other powers are only ruses... the spear enhances Shao's strength and senses but they do not become superhuman (I could have simply him be a ninja instead and be very keen eared... but having that given to him by the spear is more fun) also the fact that his aging gets nearly stopped (lord of the rings like) is a great power but has not any kind of weight in battle.

Appearance:

Personality: Shao is a very loyal and open person and has a jokingly funny streak that one could think unusual for someone of his position. His long service as Captain of the humans has taught him how to behave and if needed he can be flawless and respectful to the utmost. He is a kind person and likes to voice for the weak against the oppressors... and in this particular period he is earnestly feeling that the human race is being oppressed by the superior powers of the Myth. He does not like lies and he never lies if he can help it, to the point of being blunt at times. He feels brandishing his spear-halberd as a necessary evil... something that is his burden and that gives him the capability to make a difference. He knows that the human race needs all the advantages it can muster... since he has not many of them. Deep inside, Shao yearns to live a quiet life, but he knows that he will never have somthing like that.

A word about Fù Chóu's personality. The spear knows only the drive for vengeance that gives it life and its ultimate objective is the downfall of Myth creatures. It has found a convenient tool for soing that in Shao Wang Tzu and after that many years in his grasp... in its twisted, inhuman way it has become loyal to him.

Biography: I will tell you this... there is a great mistery in Shao Wang's life. And this mistery is his halberd-spear 'Fu Chou'.... a spear that has a story that is sad and dark. The story of a highly skilled blacksmith who eventually became mad for being unable to save his sister that had been raped and killed by monsters. Filled with anger, remorse and regret, he spent his last years of life forging a weapon to kill the creature who did that... to kill all of them. A ravaging illness born out of his madness consumed his body and he died on his halberd-spear in the instant into which he completed it. His spirit was trapped in the darkness of the spear, and the user of the spear can enter in communion with his fury and hatred.

Some warriors tried to brandish the weapon... all of them went mad. 'Fu Chou' disappeared... became a little known legend.

Enter Shao Wang Tzu. Enter his village, attacked by a ravaging horde of evil kappas. Enter a ruined temple where he and some refugees from the village seeked shelter... enter a secret room in the temple and something waiting for Shao to grasp it.

Shao acted out of need and for the protection of his village. Shao resisted the spear's madness and actually heard its voice... the first living being to talk with it since its creation. The spear... transformed him, turning him into a deadly warrior. Shao led a counterattack on the kappas and freed the village.

After that, Shao moved away from the village. The spear talked to him, asking him to help it to obtain its vengeance... for the sake of humanity and to avoid other blood to be forfeited under the claws of the heartless monsters. Shao felt torn between the fact that he was aware that the spear was consumed by personal haterd... and the fact that he felt that it could be right in its assessment of the dangers that Myth creatures presented to humans.

He decided to put his abilities into the service of a wise leader. He enlisted as a soldier in the Human House's army.

Herbalism – Kimiko was trained in the arts of herbal healing by her grandmother, a traditionalist. Her knowledge is seldom needed, but it is a close kept skill that she will always have in a pinch.

Political Prowess – Kimiko learned at a very young age how to sway men’s hearts with words, and has used this talent to her advantage in many arenas. Though, as the Lady wife of the Lord of the Humans, she is not expected to fathom or participate in political matters, she makes it her business to know.

Orientation: Straight

Appearance:

Personality:Kimiko is a spitfire of a girl, tempered by many promises unfulfilled. She is slow to trust, and slow to befriend, but those she does befriend she is loyal to, to a fault. At heart, she is the romantic type, and a bit naïve…but her temper and stubbornness override that most of the time.

Biography:The daughter of an acquisitive, grasping merchant, Kimiko was raised by her grandmother in her father’s frequent absences. She has largely been without a mother, as her mother died when she was young, after giving birth to her younger brother. City life has been her lot, and she learned both the old way of things and the new, not knowing her father was the type to try and find himself on top. Offering his daughter as a suitable candidate as a wife to the ruling Lord, only to find once the deed was done, his daughter did not seek his counsel.

Indeed, Kimiko felt as if she had been sold to the highest bidder, pressured to be regal, in a way she was not sure she was capable. Her distrust of her new husband's household was shattered within weeks of her marriage with the assassination of her husband. A keen bargaining chip in political matters, she was quickly wed to the charismatic former General of the Human House--the rightful heir to the throne. Determined to make her own mark, she has cut off any contact with her father, and keeps as close to her husband as allowed, like a planet orbiting a star.

I have received a PM from Lord Drake that is mentioned in the OOC about my character assuming the Captain of the Humans.Here is my submittal.

Name: Bannin Rackaem (Rack-em)Age: 27Race: HumanHousehold: HumanPosition: CaptainOrientation: Straight. He is not married, but he is known to slum around town on occasion. Many women, are enchanted by an accomplished warrior, and if he is a foreigner, that just adds to the mystique.

Weapons/Abilities:

Jade-edged Maori club - from one of his earlier sailing adventures. Where westerners fear the devil’s pitchfork, it seems that orientals fear the devil’s club. The Maori club is wide enough to act as an impromptu shield against some forms of energy attack.

Fire Seal - is another weapon that Bannin aquired before coming to the orient. It is a western sword with a flat tip, it is meant as a purely slashing weapon. The air it cuts through burst into flame, leaving a spectacular arc of razor thin fire that hang in the air.

Dive knife - used mostly for shellfish, but can be deadly in a tight scuffle.

Unorthodox - Being a sailor and gaijin, Bannin shows a unique, daring, and pragmatic fighting style. Dashing and lunging into the enemy's defense, hitting hard, and retreating, before harrying his opponent again.

The Devil’s Own Luck - Bannin has survived a number of disasters that have left none alive, save him. Regardless, this has led to hushed rumors of a black guardian or possible unwanted favoritism from the Devil. It does not help matters that his weapons seem to exhibit qualities that are devilish. No deal has been made, but it is certainly unnerving that he survives where others perish.

Appearance: He is of average height in his lands, but slightly taller than the people of this place. He is wiry and tough from years at sea. His clothes are distinctly foreign, but have been cut and threaded to mimic some Oriental fashions.

Personality: Bannin Racchaem is a brash and loud personality among the refined and restrained customs of the Orient. He is daring, audacious and cunning, perfect traits of an ill reputed pirate. He is aware that gaijin are rarely allowed ranks of high esteem, but when the cold war heats up… the humans need all the talent they can muster against the might of the ancients and mixed houses. He is adamant to show that he is his own person and that no higher or lower deity is responsible for his luck. He makes his own luck with skill and determination.

Biography: Bannin Racchaem is the only son of a merchant marine. Following in the family trade, he joined up as well, and made a meager living. During many voyages, his ships came under attack from pirates and he learned to fight in the crucible of life or death conflict. On a long voyage for silk, a typhoon carried and smashed his ship beneath the waves. Washing up on the shore of the strange Orient, penniless and with no way of returning home, he found the House of Humans and was glad to be accepted into their ranks.

During one deployment, Bannin distinguished himself by executing a cunning plan against a Bandit King's army, pulling victory from certain annihilation. He has faithfully served as Xeng’s advisor and tactician until the assassination of the previous lord. He has voiced his concerns on such matters, but was brushed aside. Now the Captain of the Human Army, he searches his heart and soul on the matter, under the watchful eye of the Commander, his second-in-command.

Currently, he is not sure how he feels about the assassination and the developments of it. The line of duty and loyalty he walks is as razor thin as the flames of Fire Seal.

Sleeve Arrow: A spring loaded iron spike that Li always keeps tucked up his sleeve. At close range this can go clear through someone.

Jian: His father and brother's sword. He wears this frequently, although he's never used it in a fight.

Abilities:

Gifted Speaker: Li's talked his way through many dangerous situations in life, and is gifted in using words to get what he wants out of others.

Kung Fu: During his years as a monk, Li learned how to defend himself unarmed.

Flute: Li is quite gifted with the flute, and practices frequently in his spare time.

Two Faced: Li hides his true emotions and motives from all, he suppresses

Appearance: A bald man of average height, sometimes wears the robes of a monk, at other times wears court attire.

Personality: Li presents himself as a dutiful and often jovial former monk to those around him in the human house. In truth he is callous and calculating,viewing myth and mixed houses as a threat to his power, destroying them is at the top of his agenda.

Biography: Li's family has been in the human lord's court for generations, Li's ancestors serving as generals and advisors since ancient times. As children, Li and his brothers' fates were decided according to family tradition. Li's older brother followed his father's footsteps and was trained in court etiquette and kingdom affairs, stepping in as advisor when his father died. Li was sent to a monastery to learn wisdom and philosophy, and Li's younger brother was enlisted in the lord's army, quickly rising to the rank of lieutenant in his two years there.

Li had always been estranged from his brothers and father, who found him indifferent and unapproachable. He in turn resented them, especially his father and older brother, for denying him the role of advisor, a task he thought suited him far better than his brother, and with power he desired more than anything. In the end he obeyed his father and entered the monastery. His desire for power never faded in the monastery, and within its halls Li blossomed from a sharp, aloof youth into a charismatic and cold-blooded mastermind, using his guise as a monk to make connections throughout the kingdom with honorable dignitaries and underground crime lords alike. As a monk and member of the Feng family he was an asset to both parties, gaining indirect influence over kingdom affairs as years passed by manipulating politicians and eliminating or absorbing his competition in the underworld. The only competition he found impossible to eliminate were his counterparts in the myth and mixed underworld, two races he envied for their eternal life and superhuman powers. His fellow monks knew little of his affairs, though they found him amicable and quick witted in philosophical discussions of the Teachings. Only his family knew of his devious nature.

When his brother was struck down in a meeting with myth and mixed delegates at a council meeting, Li was privately ecstatic. As the oldest male member of the Feng family, the job of advisor was now his. His superiors and peers at the monastery gave the lord a good review of his capacities and moral fiber, and wished him good luck in his endeavors when he set out for the Lord's castle, where he has now assumed the rol of advisor.

My most humble apologies to the Human House for me not doing much over the past... 1 - 2 weeks. I've been sick and I still am. Though constantly trying to redo my character as it is not fit for the current house I'm in, I have not been able to make any decent one. My mind always goes blank and I can only type a maximum of three sentences. I'll keep trying, and pray that I can make something.

Mini-bump. I have my image for Bannin now. (Guilty Gear is one of my favorite games, and Im partial to Sol from the first game). The linked image is a pretty big .gif, but I think it helps to give everyone a mental picture of Fire Seal in action.

Weapons/Abilities:Ceremonial Dagger: Xiao Lian carries a ceremonial dagger as part of ritual work. She is also proficient in its use to defend herself, though she only carries it to show she is Wu.

Tessen, or Iron Fan: This weapon is an elegant fan Xiao Lian carries with her. It's deadly blades are hidden by its lovely and innocent appearance. She can easily carry this without being suspected of a weapon. It goes wherever she does.

Exorcism: Xiao Lian is a Wu priestess and she has the ability to exorcise demons and spirits from the body. She can command the evil to leave or if they are strong, she can do a ceremony. She can bottle the spirit or kill it.

Healing: Xiao Lian can heal minor wounds or at least set the body to healing quickly. Her greatest gift is the ability to diagnose an ailment or wound. Of course, this could be just from learning and herbal lore. Among her village, she was respected most for this, despite her youth.

Invocation: She can call the spirits to her and using the gathered energy of the ether, form it into a fiery blast. She can also invoke the blessing of the Elder Gods or put a hex on them.

Astral Touch: This gift is her greatest secret. She can pull the soul from the body while it lives. If people knew she could do this, they would fear her and kill her or use her to their evil ends. She has only done it once and it was enough. The power also give her the ability to leave her own body and walk the spirit paths.

Appearance: Xiao Lian is a beautiful young girl and is well named the 'Little Lotus'. She has a small tattoo in the middle of her brow. Some say this is the Kiss of the Gods, a blessing of the third eye. She speaks in a soft whisper voice and she always wears mostly white patterned silk and flowing robes.

Personality:Xiao Lian is a quit and personable. She has a fierce fighting spirit and will defend the righteous with everything she has. She is also kind and willing to help those in need. She carries with her a deep sadness and as a priestess, she is sought for her wisdom. The other side of the coin is because she is a spiritualist, she is also avoided because sometimes she says things that are considered spooky.

Biography:Xiao Lian was happy to have been chosen to the life of a Wu priestess. She was spotted by the priestess of her village, talking to no one. A closer look revealed the little Xiao Lian was speaking to the spirits. The priestess immediately took Xiao Lian under her wing. Years passed and she had become as respected as her teacher. People came from far and wide, seeking her gift.

Xiao Lian exorcised a demon from a man at the age of twelve. The demon had tried to kill her but using her ceremonial dagger she was able to wound it and seal it into a bottle. She had yet to be trained in this. The man, a traveling Wushu Master, stayed in the village. Grateful to the young priestess, he trained her in martial arts. She was sad the day he died. Unfortunately, he was an elder man and his demon possession had weakened his heart. He had told her that his last years had been happiest because she was as a daughter to him and she would guide his spirit to the Heavens. She cried that day, and the villagers say that even her tears had floated up to the Heavens and the drought had ended, as if the Heavens cried with her.

Xiao Lian continued her life as the priestess of her village when one day a man and his soldiers came to her village. He demanded to know if they were harboring a known enemy. Though none had passed, the village headman was beaten for his insolence. When the man went to kill the downed man, Xiao Lian intervened, putting herself between the man and the oncoming blade. She had told the man, that if he wanted to continue on his path to greatness, then he would be wise not to bring harm upon the village. She had boldly stared him down, ready to die for her actions. He had asked her why she thought he was to be great. She had told him because she had seen it in a dream, that the spirits whispered of his rise to power. He did not kill her, instead he took her from her happy village and brought her to the Human House. That was her first encounter with Xeng Xaifang and not her last.

Name: Hideko OhkawaAge: 26Race: HumanHousehold: Had belonged to the Human House Position: Was the Adviser of the Human House Orientation: StraightWeapons/Abilities:Music: Her skills at playing the Erhu are top notch, many times the lilting and somewhat haunting melody of the instrument can be heard during the night. If requested, she will gladly play for an appreciative audience.Writing: She is skilled at calligraphy and writes beautifully. In the past, this had been handy during her days as an Adviser as she spent most of her days either poring over reports or writing out her own. She had even dedicated what little free time she had to writing a novel when she's wasn't sitting in a corner with her erhu.

Persuasion: Hideko has learned over the years that learning how to persuade others to do your bidding may very well be her most treasured skill. It has helped her massively, and she has found that one can persuade another in more ways than one as long as the proper incentive is given in return...

Bladed Whip: The seemingly harmless coils around her legs are actually long whips. Along the whip are small, but sharp, blades lining the length of the coil. Hideko can be seen walking around in this fashion all the time and only a certain few know that the innocent decorations are actually convenient weapons.

Throwing Knives: Hidden amongst her robes are several throwing knives that are lined in her clothing. Most of them are attached to her sleeves, though there are also many on the inside of her robes in various places.

Bladed Chain: Unlike the traditional bladed chains or chain whips, Hideko's bladed chain is quite literally just a chain with blades attaches. On each end of the chain are large blades while smaller blades are interspersed throughout the rest of the length of the chain. She's rarely seen carrying this on her person.

Appearance: Hideko is curvaceous to say the least and in the past she openly used this fact to her advantage. Instead of dressing in the traditionally more reserved fashions she wore fancy clothing that showed off more skin than proper, resulting in her becoming infamous for her rather flashy appearance. It can be said that she is quite vain due to how much she cares about her appearance. Whether it be just a light layer of makeup, or her hair done with every strand in place, Hideko's main concern is usually her general appearance. Her long and silky raven black hair is usually always up as she feels that leaving it down is only a nuisance. Pale, ivory skin almost seems to glow from time to time as she prioritizes the care of her body.

Personality: Hideko has a rather aggressive personality which may be the main reason why she had been able to obtain the position of the adviser as a female in the first place. She will do anything in her power to achieve her goals, even if it means using underhanded methods. She tries to keep her counsel, knowing that words hold quite a bit of importance to them, she has learned to speak tactfully when needed. When she feels that the situation doesn't need to be handled in a delicate manner, Hideko tends to be quite blunt and to the point. As a result, there are many times when she is misunderstood and seen as harsh and uncaring. The fact that she uses any and all methods to her advantage only helps to reinforce these feelings. Unfortunately, most people never see past her flaws to the softer and more vulnerable side that she hides so carefully though this seems to suit her tastes just fine.

Biography: Having been trained to both fight as well as defend herself since childhood, battle is something that she is quite familiar with. The habit of training her mind and body every morning at the crack of dawn has stayed with her throughout the years. Although she had originally been trained to become a skilled soldier, one who would have eventually entered into the ranks of the special assassination squad, her Master had realized early on that while she may be trained into a fighter, it was her mind that was her actual weapon. From then on he included tactics training as well, both for war as well as those that would prove useful in politics. As a result she's quite savvy in both areas and isn't afraid to point it out when needed. If she sees an obvious flaw that needs to be fixed, or even just a slight mishap that could be deterred, Hideko will blatantly point out the error without pause.

As she became known for her skills and knowledge, it didn't take her very long to climb up the ranks and finally became appointed as the Lord's Adviser. At the beginning, when she had only recently been placed into the position, she received many criticisms due to her gender and even more so due to her flamboyant nature and dress, but eventually these claims became nothing more than empty threats and half hearted jeers as she proved her worth in the House.

With the assassination of Lord Alexander, followed shortly by the coup led by Xeng Xaifeng, Hideko found managed to escape from the house before finding herself yet another victim of Xeng's blade. Fleeing to the city, she has been hiding ever since, waiting and watching for the day when she would be able to exact revenge and bring down the new Human Lord.

In order to blend into the city, she no longer dresses as extravagantly as she used to. Instead, she had sold what little belongings she had had on her person, saving only her weapons and precious erhu. Purchasing a new wardrobe of plain clothing, her hair is now mostly hanging down her back in a simple but elegant braid, free of ornaments of any sort. Makeup no longer colors her eyes and lips in the latest colors of fashion, and jewelry no longer adorns her person. She travels around the city, performing with her erhu at various places for entertainment and makes a humble living. As she plays, her sharps ears and eyes pick up on her surroundings, listening to conversations of unrest, spotting soldiers from the houses, and just gathering information in general as she plans her entrance back to the house.

Good afternoon everyone. I am interested in playing the part of the Mixed Adviser if the position should still be open. Will be quietly contemplating character and posting it later for your consideration.

Abilities: Through his dragon heritage Jiro has gained and learned the art of healing through the use of the element of earth. Jiro has also developed a fair amount of talent as an artist. Although he prefers painting landscapes he more well known for his portraits. Also trained in martial arts. When in Dragoon form can fly using his dragon wings.

Dragoon form: 9'10" Basically humanoid in form only with the head of a dragon, arms are very strong with with taloned claws instead of normal human fingers , dragon legs (walks upright on two legs) dragon tail and dragon wings. His wing span being 6 feet on either side. Light green underbelly scales gradually turning darker green as the move towards the outside. Eyes are dark emerald green with yellow star burst patterns around the pupil.

Personality: Hard worker with an easy going manner and even temper which have all served him well in his role as Adviser.

Biography: Jiro was primarily raised only by his Earth Dragon mother after his human father was killed in a race riot caused by one of the extremist groups of humans that were completely against human/myth relations. His fathers family tried to help the best they could but found it difficult to deal with the halfbreed as he was called mostly behind his back.

All game threads can be found in the first post of the OOC Thread. Take your time to read through the posts in your own house thread before you make an introduction, and feel free to peruse the other game threads as well. =)

Name: NamazuAge: MassiveGender: MaleRace: The Creature of the same name.Household: MythPosition: CaptainWeapons/Abilities:

Earthquake Generation: So long as Namazu is making contact with a physical surface he is able to spontaneously generate quakes of varying sizes. If used on an organic the results tend to be rather messy, as the force will literally shake the body to pieces. In his human form he is limited to earthquakes measuring in at 6.0 on the Richter scale at maximum. In his true form he has suggested the ability to break the unfathomable 10.0 mark, though quite obviously has refrained from doing so due to the massive degree of collateral damage. With precise control he is able to vibrate an object into dust without affecting the area around it, though this is only possible while in human form.

Tunneling: Nazamu is capable of channeling his way through nearly any surface, particularly mud and stone. He is able to "dig" with any part of his body, allowing him an extraordinary degree of maneuverability on the battlefield.

Hakyoku. the Seismic Hammer: While in human form Namazu wields a massive war hammer the size of an average man. It appears to be forged from a single piece of blackened metal, with no unnatural markings or seams. A blunt and undecorated instrument for gruesome work. Utilizing his unnatural abilities, a blow from Hakyoku means almost certain death for unprotected mortals.

Wazawai, the Spool of One Thousand Needles: Given the mounting tension between the Myth House and the Humans, it has become increasingly unwise to go about causing untold destruction. For more precise death-dealing. Namazu wields the Wazawai. This weapon is a complex mystical artifact, looking at first like a simple spool of thread. But in the right hands it becomes a sinister weapon. Its owner can fire the end of the thread from its spool towards a target with precision, whereupon it will become embedded in the surface like steel. A maximum of 1000 "needles" can be fired at once before being reeled back in. Alone it is the tool of a delicate assassin, but in Namazu's hands it becomes a terrifying force. Using Wazawai he is able to extend his reach almost infinitely, allowing him to generate quakes in whatever surface the threads have been attached to.

Appearance:

True Form: In his true form Namazu appears as the gargantuan Catfish of myth, becoming as large as a blue whale. Unlike the latter, Namazu has an intense dislike for the ocean and prefers to swim beneath the Earth itself. By thrashing about he can create Earthquakes of terrifying power, bordering on the cataclysmic. This power has not been used in many long ages, since long before the rise of man. There mere threat of it is a potent force in and of itself.

Human Form:

Though he has remarked on numerous occasions that he detests walking about in human flesh, he grudgingly adopts his mortal guise due to his unwieldy real body. As a man he looks to have been birthed from the Earth itself, possessing rich dark skin and chiseled, angular features. His mouth is slightly wider than average, and nearly always pulled into a disapproving scowl, which perfectly matches the constant glaring of his squinted, slate gray eyes. An intimidating face, as handsome as it is fierce. Namazu's long black hair is slicked back tightly into three oily-looking tendrils that vaguely mimic the iconic whiskers of his true face, and tied off at the ends with heavy looking slugs of metal that look as though they could crack open a man's skull if he were to swing them about.

He is always armored, without exception. As Captain of the Myth House he considers the idea of dressing casually to be both absurd and a direct dereliction of duty. His armor is every bit as primal and undecorated as his mace, composed of many slick plates of black metal that slide soundlessly against each other, as if they were made from rubber. The similarities between it and his true form's naturally slippery skin have not gone unnoticed.

Personality:

Namazu is a man of conflict. Though he prizes patience and placidity in his subordinates, he himself is prone to fits of rage and ill temperament. He warns others not to rush into situations without knowing all the facts, but is known for his apparent inability to stand still longer than a few seconds at a time. It would appear that the Captain is constantly at odds with himself, always trying to keep his destructive nature in check and keep himself from devolving into a mindless brute.

Towards his superiors he shows nothing but loyalty, even on the off chance that they possess less power than he. Towards his subordinates he shows contempt until they have personally proven themselves to him, at which point they will have earned his tentative respect. He demands perfection from everyone under his personal command, and is notoriously ruthless with those that fail in their duty, particularly if he trained them personally. Towards cowards he is merciless, and will personally execute those that retreat from battle against orders.

His life is devoted entirely to the defense of the House, with no thought given to personal pleasures, relaxation, or relationships. Namazu's life is a lonely existence spent concentrating on the tasks at hand to avoid thinking of anything else.

Biography:

In the past Namazu was considered a monstrous spirit, a god or demon of destruction that could not be tamed or vanquished. For aeons he was forcibly restrained by guardian spirits to quell his mindless rage. In those moments when he overpowered his captors he wrought untold tragedy across the lands, sundering the earth without heed for other lives. Eventually the god Kashima attempted to reason with the great fish, and after a millennium of debate the creature finally began to calm and cease his struggle. It was decided thereafter that, so long as Namazu could keep his anger and strength in check, he would be allowed to walk freely. But if his full power were to be released once more by his own volition, unless so ordered by the Lord of Myths himself, he would forever be chained beneath the world to thrash in darkness and silence.

Due to some players dropping out for various reasons, we are now currently recruiting new members to hopefully fill in their positions. Since the game is quite slow paced, please expect that the posting rate will take a while.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) the game itself has not progressed very far yet and is still in the beginning stages of introduction, thus new players should not feel intimidated at the idea of jumping onto the bandwagon.

All links to game threads (OOC included) can be found on the first post, along with the list of current players and their characters.